Department FAQ

FAQ sections:

Lost and Found

Q: I left my personal property in the lecture hall/lab.
Where can I go to find it?

A: The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry collects lost items in Reichardt Room 194 in the space below the mailboxes. If the item cannot be found there, go to Reichardt Room 244 and from there your laboratory can be checked. If it is not there, check the Lost and Found at Wood Center.

General Chemistry Textbooks, Online Homework, Clickers

Q: Can I buy an online homework access card that another person has used?

A: No -- They would have registered it in their name, and it cannot be transferred to another name.

Q: I can see that people online offer online homework access cards cheaper than the card you are suggesting. Will they work?

A: We believe we have found the cheapest online homework access card that works with our book (Chang and Goldsby, 11th edition). There are many online homework access cards for other books, but those won't let you do the problems associated with our book, so they will not work for you. Refer to the advice that was sent to you by your professor and is on Blackboard

Q: I see that there are cheap used copies of older editions of the textbook on the internet. Can I use one of those?

A: While the topics of earlier editions of the book
are similar, you will have to do some work to translate between the
books to assure your reading matches what we are covering in the
class. You also need the online homework access card for the current edition even if your
physical book is an earlier edition

Q: Can I buy another student's "Clicker"

A: Yes, as long as it is a Turning Point RF clicker (ResponseCard RF or ResponseCard RF LCD)

Q: Can I use the smartphone application instead of a dedicated RF clicker?

A: This decision is up to your instructor and should be spelled out in the syllabus, but most instructors are allowing the smartphone application. See your syllabus or other advice on how to buy the ResponseWare application and get a discounted license.

Q: I lost my clicker. What do I need to do?

A: If you cannot find it soon, you will need to get a new clicker or smartphone application, then register the device as described in the beginning of the semester paperwork. If you experience problems, contact your Professor or the Head TA for your class

General Chemistry Class/Lab

Q: I missed class. What do I need to do?

A: Get any notes from one of your classmates. Your professor may also be capturing lecture video that you can view -- log into Blackboard and look for the "EchoCenter" link or check the syllabus for how to get this information. Turn in any assignments to your professor's mailbox (found in Reichardt Room 194)

Q: I missed lab. What do I need to do?

A: You MAY be able to come to a lab session later in the week. Find a time that works with your schedule and talk to the TA to determine if there is room in the lab for you to attend. Please note, you are not guaranteed a spot in a lab that you are not registered for. Admittance is dependent on space and at the TA's discretion. Turn in the lab that is due to your regular TA's mailbox (located in Reichardt Room 194)

Q: I know that I am going to miss class/lab. What do I need to do?

A: For class: Check the syllabus and determine what you will be missing. If you are missing an exam, you will need to contact your professor and schedule a make-up. If you are missing a lecture, you will need to get notes from a classmate or view the lecture capture via Blackboard / EchoCenter. Be sure to turn in any assignments that are due to your professor's mailbox (located in Reichardt Room 194)

For lab: You MAY be able to attend a lab session sometime during the same week (labs topics change weekly). Find a time that works with your schedule and talk to the TA to determine if there is room in the lab for you to attend. Please note, you are not guaranteed a spot in a lab that you are not registered for. Admittance is dependent on space and at the TA's discretion. Turn in the lab that is due to your regular TA's mailbox (located in Reichardt Room 194)

Q: I need to turn in an assignment to my professor/TA? Where can I take it?

A:You can turn in an assignment to your professor/TA's mailbox (located in Reichardt Room 194)

Q: Can I use my programmable calculator (or iPhone calculator) during general chemistry examinations

A: No. Only non-programmable calculators, and devices that are not internet enabled are generally allowed.
This requirement is in agreement with all major professional societies policies for use
of calculators for examinations. If your professor allows use of programmable or internet-enabled
device as a calculator, their syllabus will state it. However, standardized exams (e.g. ACS exams)
still do not allow use of programmable calculators or internet devices.

Q: I ordered by books, but they are in the mail. What do I do before they arrive?

A: Your instructor may have placed a copy of the textbook on
reserve in Rasmuson Library.

Q: Can I borrow my friend's clicker, or can I loan my
clicker to someone else?

A: No. Each clicker is identified with each student. If you
use your friend's clicker in class during a graded clicker quiz, then
your quiz score will be credited to your friend and not to you. Each
student must use his or her own clicker. Falsely representing
yourself by asking a friend to use your clicker during a quiz is
considered cheating.

Q: I would like to do my online homework here in the
Reichardt Building. Are there any computers I could use?

A: Computers are available for 100-level chemistry students (e.g. 100, 103, 104, 105, 106)
in REIC 170. You will be shown this room in the first week of laboratory. You log in with your
UA user ID and normal UA password. If you cannot log in, please see the admin assistant (Mist) to
correct the problem. The REIC 172 computer room is reserved for students in 200 and above
numbered Chemistry courses, and is often reserved for laboratory data analysis.

A: First, you need to determine if there is space
available in the lab section that you want to switch to. You can
determine this by checking the course finder at www.uaf.edu. Then, you
need to check your student calendar. If it is before the last day of
student-initiated withdrawals, print up an add/drop form
from http://www.uaf.edu/reg/forms/add_drop.pdf
and follow the instructions completely.

Graduate Student Procedures

Q: How can I get help with graduate student paperwork or procedures?

A: Your advisor or the graduate program coordinator are great resources of information on graduate student issues. Our graduate programs have developed a "current student" page with general information and graduation timelines.
See the following links:

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